Chandler Massey Leaving DAYS OF OUR LIVES Three Months Early; Role Will Be Recast

Chandler Massey is officially done with the role of Will Horton on NBC's DAYS OF OUR LIVES.

The two-time Emmy winning actor tells Gay Star News that the show has agreed to let him out of his four-year contract more than three months early so he can focus on school and pursue other acting opportunities.

The role of Will is going to be recast, Massey said. He will continue to appear in episodes of DAYS until January 2, 2014.

"I'm done. It's bittersweet," said Massey who won his second Emmy for the role in June. "These four years have been so amazing I've built a family here. I'm so grateful to NBC and everyone for these amazing four years It's been my privilege and honor to work there."

"I think it's a good move ]to recast]," Massey said. "I'm biased because I fell in love with Will and Sonny (Freddie Smith) and I want Will and Sonny to be together."

"As Chandler Massey announced back in June, he will be leaving the show to further pursue his education and other entertainment opportunities," said a spokesperson for the show. "While DAYS OF OUR LIVES is disappointed to lose such a talent, the show understands and supports him in his future endeavors. Due to current storyline and the timely discovery of new talent that the show feels is the right recast for Will Horton, a mutual decision has been made for the changes to taken place immediately. Chandler will always be a part of the DAYS family and we wish him nothing but continued success."

Massey tweeted, "Thank you, thank you, and thank you. It has been such an amazing journey, and I am so grateful to have shared these four years with you all. As I move forward from Days, I will never forget the laughs we shared, the tears we shed, & the love we spread. Time to get edumacated!"

We Love Soaps conducted a viewer poll to find out what fans wanted to happen with the role of Will after Massey left DAYS. The answer with the most votes, albeit only 27%, was to recast the role without much of a time gap between Massey and the next actor.

Oh, those were the days, Roger, when you actually had to WATCH a show to know what was going on. I blame it on Mimi Torchin. She officially made it possible to me to no longer have to watch OLTL Easter weekend in 2000. I didn't know whether Elian Gonzales was going to be sent back to Cuba, but I knew all about Will Rappaport's trip to Statesville Prison because it had been blared all over Mimi's SOW that week at the grocery store.

I was never able to enjoy a soap again until OLTL moved to Hulu and its storylines were no longer pre-revealed on the magazine stands. I only watch the Wilson storyline now because they're gay, and I don't watch the rest of the characters (Jennifer Horton, PLEASE).

I blame Mimi Torchin squarely and exclusively for the demise of soap opera as I used to love it.

Wow, if they recast the role of Will Horton already, Days isn't messing around. And if it's a newbie as one commenter said above, he's gonna have to hit the ground running and be on his toes in order to adjust to the fast paced world of daytime shooting as they sometimes do more than 80 pages of scripts a day when shooting scenes. I wish Chandler nothing but the best and I really hope that they can strike gold with the new actor and that he is well received by the fans and the cast alike.

Personally I didn't like the story of a gay couple on my favorite soap. And would turn it off or look the other way when they kissed or anything else. It's not normal and please cut the gay stuff out...you can find other story lines than that stuff. Pleeeeease cut Will's gay life out of it. Have him get back with the mother of his baby and cut the gay stuff out. Thank you!

So It can only be what fit's inside your little box of a mind, as to what is appropriate for the show. They are about the only reason to watch. Chandler's talent is amazing as an actor. So much stronger than those who play the straight parts who might actually be gay in real life. Sounds like you really need some diversity in yours.

Anonymous - your view is quickly (and thankfully) becoming the archaic one. I am so impressed that a daytime show would do a gay storyline, and do it so well and in such a meaningful way (rather than feeling very after-school-special-ish). I think that the Will and Sonny love story, and the coming out story of Will, has been done so incredibly well - the writing, the acting, all of it. Top notch. I have not enjoyed a story on Days of Our Lives as much as I have enjoyed Will and Sonny's story (and particularly Will's story) in a very, very long time.

Will and Sonny are my favorite couple on Days currently, and one of my all-time favorites ever (up there with Jack and Jen, Kayla and Steve, etc). I am so sad to see Chandler go. He has made Will into one of my all-time favorite characters. I can't imagine that anyone could really fill the role in the way that Chandler has, but I wish Chandler nothing but the best in his life and future endeavors. Selfishly, I am hoping that down the road he chooses to come back! :)

I have loved watching the interaction between Will and Sonny, and rarely think of them as a gay couple, just as a couple in love, period. I will miss Chandler Massey as Will, but I wish him well on his new journey.

I wish Days would close down for a few months. I love the soap, but they can never surprise us, because they tape so far ahead. Drew would be a good choice. I am wondering if it will be a familiar face or someone new to soap world. Have they recast Chad yet? Or maybe they won't?

I am not gay and I am uncomfortable watching some of the more intense scenes between Will and Sonny. It's simply not my preference. I don't bash the show, the actors or a reality in today's society. Days is showing diversity and relating to all individuals in society through image, characters, and story line. I see no problems here, freedom of choice/speech. I wish Chandler well and wait to see his next production!! Good luck in school and HAVE FUN!!

Anonymous 8-26-13 I really dislike having the gay couples on TV. It has really made me dislike Days. When ever they come on with their kissing and in bed it makes me sick and wonder why I even watch the show. Hope you take that stuff off TV. Just because it's out there doesn't mean we have to watch it on TV. For God sake don't promote this crap. This has really ruined the show for me and my family. I wish Chandler all the luck in the world. Sure hope Days gets back on track and get off this Gay crap.

The kid who played Will was a horrible actor, always hemming and hawing and never able to get a word out without melodramatic fanfare. He was a total nuisance and a scriptwriter's worst nightmare, in my opinion, so good riddance. The actor who plays Sonny is so much better and he deserves an Emmy. I cannot believe this Chandler won not one but two Emmy's. He must be related to the someone on the board. Or shall I say bored, as he was always a snooze of a character. I hope he goes back to school to get a degree in something other than acting or theatre, and I hope he finds a new career that better suits his skill set. Heaven knows, acting wasn't one of them.

Not say I'm sad to see him go.Now if this "boyfriend" would go too I'd watch the show again. Getting tired of seeing all the gay kissing....And having to make sure my kids aren't seeing this on daytime TV.I don't watch LOGO for a reason, stop pushing this on us on reg. TV ! Not all your fans(DOOL) think this is so wonderful too see !